Forage cereals can be harvested either as a cut and wilted crop or direct cut and ensiled.

Timing of harvest for silage should consider the following:

  • End use of the silage ie. for animal production vs. maintenance rations
  • Weather conditions at harvest
  • Soil types and soil moisture conditions at harvest
  • If spring sowing, when the follow up pasture is to be sown
  • If double cropping, when the follow-up crop needs to be sown
  • Availability of suitable harvesting machinery
  • Affect on dry matter yield

 

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